The Queensland boulder opal is distinct in nature, forming between thin cracks in ironstone. A layer of vibrant colours forms with a dark body, these stones are usually cut in freeform shapes, to preserve as much of the valuable opal as possible. Our head opal cutter and founder John Ryneš has over 45 years experience and understands how to bring each stone’s hidden beauty to light. He has cut with precision some of Australia’s most valuable opals. Our ties to mining communities - established over 45 years in the industry - give us access to a stunning variety of exquisite boulder opals.
Boulder opals are the second most highly valued opal, after black opals.
In countries like Australia and Germany, boulder opal is very valuable and often sells for more than 150,000 dollars per carat.
Boulder opal is a rare and valuable type of opal. It is formed by a process known as silica gel deposition. This process can produce opals of a very high quality. Boulder opal is found in large, round nodules embedded in ironstone, which is a type of shale. The boulder opal is usually a yellow-orange color but can also be white, gray, or black, depending on the iron content in the ironstone.
Opal can be spotted, often has many colors, is usually more luminescent than other gemstones, and has organic origins. It is found in all colors of the rainbow.
Boulder Opal is just one type of opal with a banded background. It can be white, black, brown, grey, gold, red, tan, green, pink, orange, blue, violet, lilac, or any color of the rainbow, or admixture of all colors. Boulder Opal is not as common as traditional Opal, but it is found in more places than any other type of Opal. Boulder Opal is often confused with other gemstones, like agate and jasper.
Boulder opal is a kind of opal that is rarely found in a sedimentary rock. Boulder opal is extremely rare and may only be mined from a single location in Australia. From this rock, no more than ten carats of opal can be obtained from each ton of mined rock.